Columns

“One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody’s listening.”
—Franklin P. Jones (American Businessman, 1887-1929)

I’ve always tended to talk out loud to myself when I’m writing. You know, just to see how things sound and such. As I get older, I tend to do this more and more. You may not know it but they say this is a sign of great “genius.”

I couldn’t have been more pleased when I found out earlier this month that Bernard Smalley was going to be named Citizen of the Year by the Springfield-Washington County Chamber of Commerce. I’ve spent a little over two years working in the Washington County community, and I’d be hard-pressed to say I’ve crossed paths with a more genuine person who cared more about Washington County than Bernard.

Dear Editor,
In last week’s edition of The Sun, there was a story about vandalism on the old bridge in Fredericktown. I visited the bridge last weekend and saw the strange scene myself: an unlit pile of wood, a gas can and two chairs. This scene appeared oddly staged.

I question the motives of why someone would set up such a bizarre scene. Kids would be the obvious answer to some. Possibly, but living in the area as long as I have, and knowing most everyone here, I don’t buy that theory.

How are those New Year’s resolutions working for you? If you’ve already reneged on them, don’t panic. You aren’t alone.

According to a survey reported in Forbes magazine, 36 percent have broken their resolutions after one month, 54 percent have failed after six months, and only 8 percent actually reach their New Year’s goals.

On a frigid afternoon this past Tuesday, December 10, some 65 people representing different expressions of faith gathered on the Boone Farm in Nelson County, affirming their belief that God is not pleased with what hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is doing to his creation.

As the winter season begins, individuals will be exposed more often to the germs that cause colds or the flu. It is always better to prevent an illness than to deal with its symptoms and possibly spread it to someone else. The single most effective way to prevent the spread of dangerous germs is by following good hand hygiene.

Individuals should wash their hands often, especially during the winter months, and always at the following times: